Gray Wolf (Canis lupus)

Archived Information - Control of Depredating Wolves in
Wisconsin:

Biological Opinion

The Service is proposing to
issue a section 10(a)(1)(A) permit to the Wisconsin DNR to live-trap wolves
for monitoring and research associated with Wisconsin DNR wolf research
activities, to harass wolves posing threats to domestic animal or human
safety, to lethally take wolves fo depredation abatement purposes, and
to euthanize wolves affected by mange or other contagious disease, or
injured by vehicle collision or other injuries, throughout Wisconsin.

Section 10(a)(1)(A) permits
are not required for activities carried out by qualified employees or
agents of State conservation agencies which are party to Cooperative Agreements
with the Service, provided such activities are in accordance with the
Cooperative Agreement and do not result in lethal take or permanent disablement
of listed species, or removal of specimens from the wild for more than
45 days. The Wisconsin DNR has applied for a section 10(a)(1)(A) permit
to allow it and its agent, the USDA-APHIS-WS, to conduct activities that
would result in lethal take.

Pursuant to section 7(a)(2)
of the Act, the Service must ensure that issuance of the permit will not
jeopardize the continued existence of the gray wolf. This biological opinion
documents the Service's compliance with the section 7(a)(2) mandate and
provides a take exemption for any incidental incidental take which may
occur provided it complies with the Terms and Conditions contained in
the Incidental Take Statement. This biological opinion is based on

1) information provided in
the Wisconsin DNR's September 6, 2005 permit application for activities
involving the capture, handling, monitoring, harassment and control
of wolves,2) electronic mail
messages from the Wisconsin DNR wolf biologist Mr. Adrian Wydeven, providing
additional information on current wolf population status,
3) biological information provided by the Wisconsin DNR in annual Wisconsin
wolf status and monitoring reports,
4) the Draft Environmental Analysis prepared by USDA-APHIS-WS, in cooperation
with the Service, Wisconsin DNR, Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior
Chippewa Indians and Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin to analyze this action,
and
5) telephone conversations with Mr. Wydeven. A complete administrative
record of this consultation is on file at the Green Bay, Wisconsin,
Ecological Services Field Office.